BATON ROUGE – Today, Governor Bobby Jindal announced the appointment of Bill Hidalgo to the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.

The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority serves to develop a comprehensive master plan regarding coastal protection and an annual plan regarding protecting, conserving, and restoring the coastal area through the construction and management of hurricane protection and coastal restoration projects and programs.

According to statute, the board is comprised of 20 members, including the secretary of the Department of Natural Resources, the secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality, the secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development, the secretary of the Department of Economic Development, the commissioner of administration, the commissioner of agriculture and forestry, the commissioner of insurance, the chair of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Coastal Protection, Restoration and Conservation, the director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the president of the Senate, the speaker of the House of Representatives, or their designees and the executive assistant to the governor for coastal activities. The remaining seven members are gubernatorial appointments selected from nominations submitted by levee districts located in whole or in part in the coastal zone, legislators who represent districts in whole or in part in the coastal zone, and parish governing authorities located in whole or in part in the coastal zone. Additionally, at least two appointees must reside in the area of the coastal zone located west of the Atchafalaya River and at least two appointees must reside in the area of the coastal zone located east of the Atchafalaya River.

Bill Hidalgo, of Morgan City, is the Owner of Halimar Shipyard, LLC and is also a registered professional civil engineer and land surveyor. Hidalgo will be appointed to serve as a gubernatorial appointee who resides in the area of the coastal zone located west of the Atchafalaya River, as required by statute.